I think it matters--a lot. Let's face it, this profession is generally on the margins (at best) in most institutional settings and cultures (even in academia, sometimes and in some cases) We're often viewed as little more than clerical. I think titles, as idiotic as they are, can make a difference in how one is perceived in the institutional culture.
I'd rather be considered almost anything than an "assistant"...take "library" out of the title completely, but no assistant anything. Gary Handman > Good morning colleagues, > > I have a professional question and am not quite sure who to ask about it, > so > I'm hoping for some advice from my fellow librarians. I work as the > librarian at a small for-profit college. I am currently FT and have > gotten > the approval to go PT, however, there is no PT Librarian title in our HR > system, only a PT Library Assistant. (It is a huge corporate company) My > superior is trying to get this amended, but if it doesn't work, I will > have > to be entered into our system as a PT Library Assistant. I will still be > considered the librarian, but my title will technically change. > > Now...how much do you think the title matters? I am worried that when I > eventually move to my next position, a background check will show that I > was > an Assistant, not a Librarian-- it looks like a downgrade. I have an MLS, > but I know that work experience is very important. Would this count > against > me in terms of years of managerial experience, even though I will be > managing people? What about if/when I try to apply for a director > position? Will I look unqualified because I have the 'Assistant' title? > > Advice is very appreciated. I know it's not necessarily on topic, but I > don't know who else to ask! > > Thank you! > > -- > Danielle Phillips > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve > as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. > Gary Handman Director Media Resources Center Moffitt Library UC Berkeley 510-643-8566 [email protected] http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC "I have always preferred the reflection of life to life itself." --Francois Truffaut VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
